Sales outsourcing, telemarketing and lead generation companies
Want more qualified leads or more sales without hiring a team? Compare outsourced sales, telemarketing and B2B and B2C lead generation companies in one place.
Each supplier shows what they specialise in and where their teams are based, so you can shortlist onshore and offshore options quickly.
Outsourcing sales or lead generation? What to know before you choose a provider
Overview
What do sales and lead generation companies do?
Sales and lead generation outsourcing means engaging a specialist call centre or BPO to find, contact and convert prospects on your behalf. The provider brings trained agents, proven scripts, data, dialling technology and compliance management.
The services overlap, but the difference matters when you agree targets and pricing:
Lead generation finds and qualifies prospects, then hands them to your sales team as leads or booked appointments.
Telemarketing is outbound calling for sales, leads, fundraising, surveys or retention.
Sales outsourcing takes the prospect through to a closed sale, signed agreement or committed order, acting as an extension of your sales force.
What you can outsource
Outbound B2C sales and new customer acquisition
B2B lead generation, appointment setting and inside sales
Inbound sales: converting enquiries, quote requests and warm leads
Upsell, cross-sell, renewals and win-back programs
Fundraising campaigns for charities and not-for-profits
B2B or B2C lead generation: which provider do you need?
Not every provider does both well. The skills, data, pace and conversation style are very different.
B2C lead generation and telemarketing: higher volumes, shorter calls and tightly scripted conversations, with strict consumer calling rules.
B2B lead generation: lower volumes and longer, consultative conversations with decision-makers, often across phone, email and LinkedIn.
Fundraising: a specialist discipline that needs empathy and cause knowledge. Many providers focus only on not-for-profits.
Surveys and research: a neutral, non-persuasive style and careful data handling, quite different from sales.
Ask every provider for references from campaigns like yours in type, volume and sector.
Pricing guide
How much do outsourced sales and lead generation cost?
These are ACXPA's indicative benchmarks for a fully outsourced agent, including salary, management and technology. They're set in Australian dollars and converted to your currency.
Sales usually costs more than lead generation because it needs more skill, product knowledge and motivation.
Location
Telemarketing and lead generation (per hour)
Outsourced sales (per hour)
Best for
Australia
A$48 – A$70
A$50 – A$80
Complex, consultative, regulated or high-value sales
New Zealand
A$35 – A$60
A$35 – A$65
Native English and high service standards
Philippines
A$8 – A$18
A$10 – A$22
High-volume B2C outbound, appointment setting and surveys
South Africa
A$15 – A$25
A$15 – A$30
Strong English and voice quality at a significant saving
Indicative ranges in Australian dollars.
ACXPA benchmarks the locations above today. Other popular locations, such as India, Mexico, Colombia and Jamaica, aren't benchmarked yet, so compare quotes directly.
Pricing models
Per hour, per lead or commission: which pricing model is safest?
Each model shifts risk between you and the provider. The wrong one can give poor results even at a good rate.
Per hour: the most transparent. You pay for productive time and carry the conversion risk, but quality is easiest to control. Best for complex or consultative campaigns.
Per lead or appointment: rewards volume, so quality can slip. Define a qualified lead in writing before you sign.
Commission on sales: pays only on results, but can drive aggressive tactics and cherry-picking. It needs tight quality controls, call recording and clear rules on what counts as a sale.
Hybrid: an hourly base plus a bonus per lead or sale. Often the best balance for ongoing campaigns.
Compliance
What telemarketing rules apply to your campaigns?
Outbound calling is regulated in most markets, and the rules usually apply wherever the calls are made from. A good provider manages compliance, but as the business the calls are made for, you generally stay responsible.
Ask every provider how they screen lists against the relevant registers, which calling hours they keep, how they identify themselves on calls and how they record consent and opt-outs. Get the answers in writing, and check the regulator's own guidance for current rules.
Data
Why does data quality make or break a campaign?
The quality of your calling data decides how many real prospects your agents reach. Poor data means wasted dials, compliance risk and frustrated agents.
How recent is it? Contact data decays fast as people change roles and numbers disconnect.
Has it been screened? Confirm when it was last checked against the relevant do-not-call registers.
Is it targeted? The right industry, location and decision-maker level lifts conversion.
What is the difference between lead generation and telemarketing?
Lead generation is the goal: finding and qualifying prospects for your sales team. Telemarketing is one way to do it, by outbound calling, and it's also used for direct sales, fundraising and surveys.
How much does outsourced lead generation cost?
As a guide, fully loaded rates run from around A$8 – A$18 an hour offshore to A$48 – A$70 an hour in Australia. Per-lead and commission models are also available.
Should I pay per lead or per hour?
Per hour gives you the most control over quality. Per lead rewards volume, so define a qualified lead precisely. A hybrid of both often works best for ongoing campaigns.
Who is responsible for telemarketing compliance?
Your provider should manage it day to day, but the business the calls are made for is generally responsible too. Confirm the provider's processes in writing and check the regulator's guidance in each market you call.
How are suppliers ordered on this page?
Suppliers with a paid listing appear first, followed by everyone else. Our page on how suppliers are ordered explains the detail.
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